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Calvin and the Chimpmunks

In the past few months, I have had the privilege of working with the group of theologically savvy and incredibly creative folks behind the newish confirmation curriculum, re:form, writing and participating in the creation of the new segment, being released this Spring - re:form Traditions.
So all you Lutherans, Methodists and Reformed types, check it out - this is some really excellent material!

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Luke 1:26-45 This week I was introduced to a gorgeous poem by Denise Levertov, called "Annunciation," that I
carried throughout my week.It suggests
that we all have annunciations in our lives. Moments of divine announcement that invite us
to be part of something more. That’s hard to imagine in the midst of daily traffic and
business meetings, home improvements and political fiascos, global suffering
and parenting challenges.That we are
invited by the divine into something extraordinary? But imagine this is true. (Because it is). And imagine for a moment how we might greet these
annunciations. Lots of people, this poem suggested, do great and valuable
things in life without any awareness of or appreciation for it. They go through
life unaffected, oblivious to the conspiracy of redemption unfolding around,
and indeed even sometimes through, their own lives. Others come to their annunciation moments with definite
awareness, and so also fear and trembling at the terrible toll that r…

Matthew 20:1-16
Parables Series - Week 2! (Here's Week 1, Week 3 and Week 4) Peter is so reliable at asking the things everyone else just thinks but is afraid to say outloud.
He’s like an adorable, feisty kindergartner who predictably shoots up his hand
and waves it frantically around, brow furrowed, biting his lip, at nearly
every new thing the teacher says. You want to be annoyed with him, but he’s so
darn sincere and trying so hard to get it right, that you can’t help but smile. Just like last time, today's parable is an answer to a question by Peter. Yes, Peter? What is it? What
could Peter have asked to get Jesus to tell this
story? What burning question compelled
him? Just before this Jesus has just
been approached by a very wealthy man, who asked him, What good deeds must I do to have eternal life?And Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good. There is only one who is good. If
you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” The man asked which
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A year ago, I was preaching at Collins Street Baptist Church in Melbourne, Australia, just after the US Presidential Inauguration. Before I got up to speak, I looked out into a congregation of faces filled with empathy, and was asked this earnest question:

"America is facing a time of great uncertainty with a change of leadership. There are many rejoicing and may grieving at the change. How can we best pray for you and people like you seeking to live the gospel in these times?" And then these people on the other side of the globe committed to praying for my congregation throughout the year. I was so moved by their care and their prayer that I was inspired to begin a weekly service of Prayer for the Nation. These services took shape around a practice with 80+ Prayer Hearts, all bearing names of different people, groups or realities in our country. Every Friday morning, I sit with one or two others, and we hold a few of these hearts in our hands and feel our own hearts open to…